IPL 2025 Final, RCB vs PBKS: Head-to-Head record and key player match-ups

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru are primed to enter the big match, or the keenly-awaited IPL 2025 final with a spring in their step. That's for the reason that as seen thus far, they've been able to outsmart some of the brightest names on the IPL galaxy, including thrashing Chennai at Chepauk. Besides, two of their most precious batters are in good form, including King Virat Kohli, fresh from having reached the landmark of 9000 runs for RCB and captain, Rajat Patidar.

On the other hand, the Kings from Punjab, i.e., the Punjab Kings have played the 2025 edition of the IPL like true champs. They've attacked, absorbed their opponents' weaknesses and played as a close, balanced unit.

Where it comes to both the finalists of the 2025 IPL season, then it could be said that, the captains, i.e., Patidar and Shreyas Iyer have both led by an example and hardly let pressure dictate terms. They've known well what their players' strengths are and attacked their opponents accordingly.

What remains to be seen now is how they carry the leadership of their respective teams for one last time.

So as the last tango of IPL 2025 awaits, let us see how Punjab and Bangalore appear when locked against each other in a contest? Moreover, let us also examine some close player battles and how some key talents measure up against each other?

But first up...

RCB vs PBKS Head-to-Head Records in IPL

What seems most emphatic here is to note the very fact that where it stands at the moment, both the Royal Challengers Bangalore as well as the Punjab Kings units are on equal footing in terms of the number of games they have won and lost against each other.

What could be more incredible than that, one is compelled to ask?

Having said that, it is needless to suggest that the keenly-anticipated final that's about to begin could well settle the score as to which team enjoys the upper hand against the other in the current conception of the IPL.

But just who would've imagined or thought in the first place that there'd come a day where the two sides will enter a major IPL final with the absolute identical numbers in terms of win and loss ratio when squaring against each other?

Cricketing contests aren't scripted, they are forged with that extra bit of uncertainty, right? This is a prime example of that. 

RCB vs PBKS Key Player battles to look out for

Arshdeep Singh v  Virat Kohli

From 16 matches, left-handed pacer Arshdeep Singh has captured 18 wickets this season, including best figures of 3 for 16 and he would be raring to strike gold for his Punjab stable in taking this big wicket called King Kohli!

On the other hand, a batsman par excellence and someone whose mere name fills stadia arond the world, the belligerent right hander has made from 14 matches this season 614 runs, and struck 8 fifties.

Surely, he hasn't made a century this time around but his consistency is reason enough to perturb Punjab, if and when, he gets set on the 22 yards.

Will June 3 be King Kohli's night?

For the record, Kohli has scored 100 runs off 57 deliveries against the Punjab pacer whilst the bowler has got the prized wicket of the RCB maestro twice.

Josh Hazlewood v Priyansh Arya 

This is another cracker of a battle that can come in as a bit of a concern for either side, depending on which player can mange to strike the iron when it's hot.

Over then course of the last few seasons, the lanky Aussie speedster Josh Hazlewood has become a force to reckon with for his RCB camp this year

This time around, Hazlewood has captured 21 wickets from 11 innings with best bowling figures of 4 for 33. He can strike early in the first powerplay itself and that nagging accuracy can hurt the best with the bat in hand.

Can he pose problems at the easy-going left hander, the young Priyansh Arya?

Not to forget that this time around, Arya, who's still new to the IPL, has accumulated from 16 matches, 451 runs, including a fantastic century and even hit 2 fifties. He goes easy about his scoring and doesn't seem to bite into pressure.

Arya's ability to go big up the order and score early into an inning is just the kind of threat that can take the game away from the hold of Bangalore? But will that happen?

For the record, in this season itself, Hazlewood has already dismissed Priyansh Arya before.

Suyash Sharma v Shreyas Iyer 

Here's a tricky battle that can serve appetising entertainment if any or both these players get going.

On the one hand is the young Delhi-born RCB spinner Suyash Sharma, who from 13 matches this season, took  8 wickets, including best of 3 for 17 and on the other hand, there's inspirational skipper, Shreyas Iyer.

A man who clearly led by an example during Punjab's massive win versus Mumbai, Iyer has scored from 16 matches so far, 603 runs, including 6 fifties. His knock of 87 the other evening should concern Bangalore the way the right hander ripped apart pace and spin alike.

His most recent IPL score that culminated in Mumbai's departure from the tournament is reason enough to trouble even the best RCB bowlers, including the very exciting Sharma. So will Suyash have some tricks up his sleeve or will we see another Iyer dominant show?

Yuzvendra Chahal v Rajat Patidar

From one maverick battle to another! On the one hand there'll be Yuzvendra Chahal, an exceptioanlly experienced Punjab spinner who'll put to good effect, his experience of having played previously for the RCB camp and then on the other, the calm and courageous captain, Rajat Patidar.

Chahal this season has played 13 matches, from which he grabbed 15 wickets, including the best figures of 4 for 28.

Can these numbers contain the calming effect that Patidar brings to the fore? The RCB captain, who's commanded respect from all over for leading his team so well thus far, has played 14 matches, from which he's garnered 286 runs, having struck 2 fifties.

Is a good big knock around the corner for the RCB leader or will the leader of PBKS' spin attack get the hang of the cautious right hander?

There's so much at stake. There's everything to play for! Let the game begin.